With coatings repair specifications from a qualified professional in hand, food and beverage facilities will be ready to address nearly any required repair that may arise during an audit. Better yet, they’ll be prepared to address areas of concern prior to audits to avoid citations. In fact, the coatings professional’s recommendations will include suggestions to make any necessary repairspart of the facility’s ongoing maintenance program so the repairs can be completed prior to actual FDA or other third-party audits. As a result, the audit process will be even less stressful, and the facility will have fewer compliance items to address after the auditor has completed his checklist.
Dolton is regional market segment director—Food and Beverage/Pharma for Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings. Reach her at [email protected].
What to Look for During a Facility Evaluation
The following includes some of the common areas of concern a certified coatings professional will watch for during a comprehensive facility evaluation:
- Peeling paint;
- Flaking rust;
- Porous surfaces that can harbor bacteria;
- Proper slope-to-drains to reduce ponding water and areas for bacteria growth;
- Areas where cove bases can provide seamless transitions from floors to walls;
- Cracks or areas in flooring where water may be ponding;
- Areas of floors that must be patched prior to inspection;
- Line striping needs for employee/visitor safety;
- Rodent runs;
- Damage to insulated metal panel wall systems; and
- Trench drains that could be converted to box drains to reduce surface area for bacteria to grow and/or to reduce contamination potential.
—R.D.
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